Chemicals can be the bane of your existence on a routine health inspection. Most violations involving chemicals are high-priority violations, the ones that get you fined or worse, closed if repeated.
Here are some common High Priority chemical violations:
- Quaternary sanitizing solution too high or too low
- Incorrect sanitizing solution on your dish machine
- Store bought pest control chemicals (ie Raid) in the restaurant
- Unlabeled chemicals
- Chemicals stored around food
Here are a few easy tips for an operator to get the "easy points" on the chemical portion of the inspection.
- Most chemical manufacturers provide labels and MSDS sheets for their chemicals, keep a good supply of these on hand, they are free.
- Lock up empty, unlabeled spray bottles in the office. Don't give your staff the opportunity to fill a bottle without a label.
- Make checking chemical dispensers and opening and closing checklist item for your managers.
- Keep any store bought or pest control chemicals locked in the office.
- Don't forget to check the host stand and the bar. Most operators do a good job keeping an eye on the kitchen chemicals and miss that unlabeled window cleaner at the host stand or that Bartender's Friend sitting over the ice well at the bar.
- Chemicals and food don't mix, keep sanitizing buckets six inches above the floor and make sure you use the pre-marked ones or have a label affixed. Don't let your staff have chemicals other than sanitizer during the shift.
- Keep chemicals separate, on the bottom shelves, and bottles in designated areas.
- Make sure your staff has a quarterly review of your inspections. With all of the conflicting demands, it is very easy for these things to be out of sight, out of mind.
Make sure your staff is up to date on their Florida Food Handler cards, not only are they required by law, the class helps keep awareness high in your building.
Bright Green offers these classes at a discount for our clients.
Whether chemical safety, of food safety, there is no substitute for a well-trained staff.
Visit us at www.brightgreenquality.com, email, or call 407-314-6871 to schedule your initial inspection at no charge with a 12 month commitment.
